Wow! I almost have drowned when I was 2 years old and could have gotten killed several times, most of them on bike, two near (way too near) on foot, but it's same here with me I didn't respect life more, nor I was thinking "Man I'm glad I'm still alive". I think that Hollywood is feeding us with that nonsense, oh and those self help books!
Don't get me wrong I'm glad that I'm alive, but I never feel anything when I almost get killed?!
ON TOPIC: I think that people need God, fairies, angels and other "creatures" in order to feel safe in this world and to have a feeling that they have some control over their lives.
Those that believe in God think that if they live their life "by the book" pray every night etc. that they will be safe from all the harm, or if life does pull some nasty trick on them they will always have God to rely on. Same goes for guardian angels or fairies. People feel safer if they believe that there's always someone to protect them and keep them safe from harm.
For those people it would probably be terrifying to think that they are all alone in the world and that everything is out to get them without any safety net whatsoever.